Sophie Pearson was planning her wedding when she discovered a business opportunity. Now, with her business partner, Elizabeth Aitken, Sophie has set up Stitch & Glitz, which specialises in seat covers and table linen for weddings and corporate events. Sarah Dale finds out more.
 The Glorious 12th was the day of Sophie and Mark Pearson's wedding. While Sophie, 24, was beautifying for her big day, having her hair done and getting ready, her husband-to-be was shooting grouse. "It was the first day of the grouse shooting season," explains Sophie, from Great Ayton. "So he went out grouse shooting on the morning of the wedding." Sophie and Mark, 27, got married at Christ Church, Great Ayton and then had a marquee reception in her parents' back garden. "We had a marquee and I spent a lot of time trying to find seat covers and had to keep going back and forth to Newcastle," says Sophie, who is also a teaching assistant. "I couldn't find what I wanted for my own wedding so me and my mother-in-law had to pick them up in Newcastle. We had cream and dusky pink for our seat covers. "It was doing this that I realised this would be a good business idea. "My friend, Elizabeth Aitken, is a hairdresser and very creative and was thinking about making her own jewellery so we decided to go into business together." Sophie and Elizabeth set up Stitch & Glitz about a month ago. They source the fabrics and make the seat covers to order. "At Stitch & Glitz we offer a tableware hire service for all occasions," says Sophie. "From weddings to christenings, birthdays to seasonal events, our unique designs and quality products offer that contemporary style you're looking for. "We cater for civil ceremonies and corporate events too." Products include name cards, topiary trees, helium balloons, chair covers, organza sashes, satin overlays, linen hire, table centre pieces and table favours. Prices of seat covers are £3.45 each, table clothes range from £3.50 to £8, napkins are 60p each and centre pieces range from £2.50 each to £20. To find out more, visit the website www.stitchandglitz.co.uk or ring 01642 724418. Sophie and Mark's wedding Bride and groom: Sophie Ancell, 24, and Mark Pearson, 27, from Great Ayton. Venue: Christ Church, Great Ayton, followed by a reception for 150 people in a marquee in Sophie's parents' back garden in Great Ayton. When: August 12, 2006. Dress: Cream dress, designed and made by Kate Fearnley, who has her own fashion shop on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. Rings: Bride's ring was made from her mother's diamond ring. It is set in platinum with six pink sapphires and diamonds on each side of the diamond. Groom's wedding ring is yellow gold and belonged to his grandfather. Flowers: White and pink orchids. Cake: Three fruit cakes decorated with white and pink orchids. Music: Sophie's dad, Paul Ancell, and his band, Herbal Remedy, provided the music at the reception. Theme: Sweets were the theme of Sophie and Mark's wedding. Sophie's dad, Paul, owns a newspaper and sweet shop in Great Ayton which inspired Sophie to name the tables after sweets and each guest received a shot glass containing sweets such as jelly babies or midget gems and when they had their toast they had a shot instead of Champagne. The Proposal: On the swing bridge in Whitby on a rainy day in June 2005. | 
Travel, Entertainment & leisure
Professional Services
Health
Home Style
Home Improvements
Fashion & Weddings
Gifts
